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Expanding Access to Free Health Screening Services in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is set to extend its mandatory social medical insurance (OSMS) coverage to over one million uninsured individuals registered with employment agencies, starting from 2026. This move, a part of recent updates to the country's social medical insurance law, will see local budgets covering the contributions of these individuals [1].

This expansion of coverage will enable these uninsured individuals to access free screenings and other guaranteed health services under the compulsory social health insurance system. Tax exemptions on these medical services, as indicated by changes to the Value Added Tax (VAT) law, suggest that certain essential health interventions (including screenings) will be provided free or subsidized within this framework, starting from 2026 [4][5].

The insured status retention period will also increase from three to six months if contributions have been made consistently in the previous five years, offering more continuity in insurance coverage [1].

Screening examinations will be a set of medical tests aimed at early disease detection for conditions such as arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. These screenings will be conducted in polyclinics, and groups will be formed from both insured and uninsured populations [6].

From the second half of 2025, free cancer screenings will become available for all citizens, regardless of their insurance status in the OSMS system. This includes women aged 30 to 60 for early detection of cervical and breast cancer [6].

It's worth noting that many patients in relatively young age groups in Kazakhstan have been diagnosed with arterial hypertension, indicating undiagnosed conditions. Additionally, statistics show an increase in the number of patients with breast cancer over the past five years, with most cases occurring in young women of reproductive and working age [2]. The amendment to the law aims to ensure that screening covers vulnerable segments of the population, including the unemployed, where disease rates are increasing [3].

The priority remains to maximize the coverage of the population with compulsory social health insurance, regardless of social status. These reforms clearly aim to expand insured coverage and access to basic free medical services, including screenings, through mandatory social health insurance reforms.

The extension of mandatory social medical insurance (OSMS) coverage will impact the medical-conditions of over one million uninsured individuals in Kazakhstan.
Starting from 2026, local budgets will cover the contributions of these uninsured individuals, as part of recent updates to the country's social medical insurance law.
The increase in insured status retention period from three to six months offers more continuity in insurance coverage.
Screening examinations will focus on early disease detection for chronic-diseases like arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and various types of cancer.
These screenings will be conducted in polyclinics, with groups formed from both insured and uninsured populations.
From the second half of 2025, free cancer screenings will be available for all citizens, regardless of their insurance status in the OSMS system.
This includes women aged 30 to 60 for early detection of cervical and breast cancer.
Undiagnosed conditions, such as arterial hypertension, have been reported in relatively young age groups in Kazakhstan.
Statistics show an increase in the number of patients with breast cancer over the past five years, with most cases occurring in young women of reproductive and working age.
The amendment to the law aims to ensure that screening covers vulnerable segments of the population, including the unemployed, where disease rates are increasing.
The reforms aim to maximize the coverage of the population with compulsory social health insurance, regardless of social status.
These initiatives contribute to the broader domain of workplace-wellness, ensuring a healthier and more productive workforce.
The access to free screenings and other guaranteed health services is a step towards improving overall health-and-wellness within the Kazakhstani community.
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